I do not own Twilight.

Beta'd by Moon Dogg

AN: Thanks for the support.

Edward

The apartment is silent save for the click of the door closing as Bell leaves.

There's an uneasiness that creeps into my chest as I survey my empty home with everything in its right place. Bell managed to put everything exactly where she found it, and now it looks like she hasn't been here at all. The only clues I've shared my space with anyone are the dirty bath towel in my hamper and the smell of Bell on my sheets.

The fact that my mind lingers on her annoys me, so I return to my room and begin stripping the bed. The scent of her wafts in the air, and I grind my teeth as I toss the dirty sheets into my hamper. I replace them with a clean identical set.

There isn't much else to do, so I decide to do my grocery shopping. As I grab my keys there's a knock at the door. I can't help but wonder if maybe Bell has changed her mind and needs my help. Instead of Bell I find Jasper out in the hall, a ridiculously goofy grin on his face.

"Can I come in?"

I want to tell him no, that I'm busy, but he walks past me and takes a seat on my couch.

"What can I do for you?"

He glances up and grins wider. "I think...I think I've fallen in love."

I gape in shock. Jasper hates relationships, but he hates romantic emotions even more. Plus he had front row seats to the fuckery of my last relationship. I frown and force my thoughts back to Jasper and away from things I'd much rather forget.

"What do you mean, you're in love? With who? I didn't know you were even seeing anyone."

Jasper scoots to the edge of the couch and begins to babble and gesture wildly. "I'm not! I met her at Enchanted Forest. Her name is Alice, and she's this...this tiny, petite, passion flower."

If I weren't so worried about his mental state, I'd laugh at his ridiculous choice of words.

"The fuck is wrong with you? A stripper? You're in love with a stripper?"

I'm furious at his stupidity. What decent man falls in love with a fucking stripper?

"She's a dancer, Edward. And let's not forget you've got one on your damn payroll!" His face gets kind of red, and I know he's pissed at me.

"Bell is different. We have an arrangement. I'm not and will not ever fall in love with her."

Jasper snorts. "Of course not, because Lauren fucked you over so badly that you hire pussy so you don't have to feel anything."

His words are a Mack truck to the gut. We don't talk about Lauren. It's been a silent agreement between us that we don't bring her up. The hairs on the back of my neck raise, and I grind my teeth to stop from yelling. He doesn't understand.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I? I've watched you. I didn't come here to fight with you, but don't judge me or my feelings. And don't judge Alice because of her profession. Everyone has a past."

He gets up and brushes past me. I turn to say something, but instead I stop and watch Jasper walk out without another word.

Instead of allowing my mind to dwell on Jasper's anger and the memories of Lauren I lock up my apartment and head to the store.

As I peruse the produce section I try to stamp down the last image I have of Lauren, but it comes anyway. The look of utter disappointment and resignation that flashed across her face is something I'll never forget. Her words are etched into my very soul.

"You can't give me what I want."

"But there's other ways. I love you!"

In the end my love didn't matter.

I didn't matter.

It was then that I resolved to protect myself. I didn't need love. Certainly not when it came with conditions.

Jasper didn't have a fucking clue! He might have been there during the aftermath, but that didn't give him intimate knowledge of how betrayed I felt.

The feeling of liquid running down my arm brings me back. In my fist is a mangled orange, pulp oozing from between my fingers. I look around; no one seems to notice, so I toss the decimated citrus into a nearby trash can.

After I clean up I do the rest of my shopping quickly, return home, and eat dinner alone.

I want to call Bell, but I refrain. Her evening is her own, but I can't help but think of her. So many questions plague me as I sip my nightcap, a mix of Irish cream and whisky. Doing what I do best, I put her out of my mind and get ready for bed.

I fall asleep quickly, but my dreams betray me. I'm in a thick, dark forest with the light of the full moon to guide me. Stepping over fallen branches, I move deeper into the woods until I come upon a clearing. It's a beautiful meadow filled with tall grass and an array of flowers. I push a low-lying branch that's in my view to find Bell standing with her back to me.

When I call to her I can't hear my voice, but she does. Bell turns to me, a shadow covering the scars on her face. She tilts her head and studies me before opening her mouth to speak. I say her name again, but all I hear is silence. As I step forward Bell throws her hands up, motioning for me to stop. Anguish and pain color her face as a large wolf steps into the meadow from the dark woods behind her.

"Bell! Move!"

My cry is too late. The massive paw of the wolf swipes at her back, shoving her forward until she falls face first into the grass.

Rooted in my spot, my legs won't move. The wolf gives a breathy snort before retreating into the woods. In the shadows I can see four pairs of yellow, glowing eyes before I'm pulled from the dream and forced awake by the ringing of my alarm.